Carter bids to return

INJURY-plagued back row forward John Carter has said goodbye to his Sale team-mates after being released by the club but is hoping for a speedy reunion. Carter missed the whole of last season after failing to recover from a series of operations on his shoulders and the club could no longer afford to keep him on board.

INJURY-plagued back row forward John Carter has said goodbye to his Sale team-mates after being released by the club but is hoping for a speedy reunion.

Carter missed the whole of last season after failing to recover from a series of operations on his shoulders and the club could no longer afford to keep him on board.

But the door has not been slammed shut and Carter is aiming to return at some point in the future if the shoulders can be repaired.

No-one has ever doubted the 26-year-old's commitment, particularly after playing on in one game against Worcester the season before last after having dislocated his shoulder.

The club was patient and gave Carter time to recover but that time has now run out.

Rehab

He said: "Unfortunately one shoulder is still not right. I need more time to recover and more time for rehab.

"The club has been good to me, and have said that if the shoulder mends, then they will take me back."

Carter will spend the next few months travelling and possibly learning Spanish, but vows never to be far from a gym.

He added: "I am going to do a lot of travelling first and might have some time now to learn some Spanish as well.

"But I still need to continue my rehab and I will be down the gym for most of the time."

Carter joined the club in 2004 from National Two side Doncaster, where he was coached by Kinglsey Jones.

Jones revealed that he would be only too happy to take Carter back, saying: "If John can sort his shoulder out then we will have him back, no problem.

Commitment

"He always gives 100 per cent on and off the field and that's the sort of commitment we like to see."

Carter is not the only Sale player saying goodbye.

Jason Robinson announced his retirement from club rugby and played his final game against Bath, while Welshmen Mark Taylor and Jon Bryant are also heading back to the Principality.

Scottish prop Barry Stewart has been released along with backs coach Mark Nelson and French full-back and stand-off Daniel Larrechea.

Andrew Titterrell, who came into the side via the Jets, is also heading for pastures new in Gloucester.

Philippe Saint Andre has so far made five new signings, with Scottish pair Scott Lawson and Rory Lamont, French duo Julien Laharrague and Tight Head Prop Benoit Bourrust, and South African centre Rudi Keil. He has also promised that there are more signings to come.